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old news
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Document Actions
PM weighs in on soldier’s bungalow
By Cathy Reay
The prime minister has urged a local council to revise their decision to refuse planning permission for an adapted home for a wheelchair user and former Royal Marine.
Wealden district council turned down an application from Joe townsend and his parents for planning permission to build an adapted bungalow in adjacent to his parents’ home in Pevensey. Mr Townsent lost his legs in a landmine explosion in while on active service Afghanistan.
Responding to a petition signed by over 9,500 people on the Downing St website, and a huge social networking buzz on Facebook, Gordon Brown issued a statement on Sunday in support of Townsend.
"The whole country owes Joe huge gratitude for the sacrifice he has made for our country, and it is unacceptable that he is being stopped from having the home of his choice. Wealden District Council must do the right thing immediately and reconsider this case."
A spokesman for Wealden council said that they now wish to work with Mr Townsend and his family to reach a solution “acceptable to everyone.”
He added: “Whilst our immediate priority is resolving this issue for Joe, we are also deeply concerned that there is no specific Government planning guidance in the matter of special arrangements for injured servicemen.
We will therefore be urging the Prime Minister to reduce the chances of any other council being caught in a situation where there is a heart-rending pressure created by a badly-injured service man or woman needing special accommodation in an area where planning policy directs it to be inappropriate."”
10 February 2009